05/08/2007
NEWS STORY
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Javier Villa became the first GP2 Series driver to take three 2007 wins today by taking a measured and mature victory over Adam Carroll and Roldan Rodriguez at the Hungaroring. The Spaniard started from Pole but fought his way up from third position following a slow start to take his third win of the year by just over half a second from yesterday's winner Adam. Championship leader Timo Glock failed to score and saw his great rival Lucas di Grassi pull to within one point of the German in the standings.
Javier made a slow getaway from pole and was passed into the first corner by fellow front-row starter Adrian Zaugg. Behind them Roldan led Adam, Borja Garcia and Lucas for the points positions, but on the next lap Lucas made it up to fifth with Andi Zuber taking sixth from Garcia by the end of the lap. At the front a small error from Javier saw Roldan sneak into second and the opening order was set.
Adrian seemed to be struggling for pace and by the eighth lap was almost two seconds off the ultimate pace. By lap nine the top six drivers were locked in an intense battle covered by 2.1 seconds and it seemed only a matter of time before one would make a move. That honour fell to Roldan who tried to squeeze up the inside of a strongly defensive Adrian at the second corner. The pair touched, and Javier flew through, taking Adam with him, as Roldan recovered to sit third ahead of Lucas, Andi and Adrian.
The South African's pace could not allow him to stay in the points any longer and on lap 11 Timo took sixth place at the first corner. By now Javier was edging a slight lead over Adam as the pair yo-yo'd between a half second and a one and a half second gap.
Lap 17 saw Andi spin from fifth, promoting Timo one place and putting Borja back in the points in sixth. The German set off after Lucas and for the next six laps we were treated to a fantastic battle between the championship protagonists. But it was not to last, as Timo slowed with gearbox issues and eventually retired. All this saw Karun Chandhok up into sixth behind team-mate Borja, but the Indian had Andi all over his rear wing, with Giorgio Pantano waiting to punish any mistake the pair made. It was not a mistake but another gearbox issue which saw Karun drop out of the race on the last lap, as Andi retook sixth and the final points position of the race.
Javier crossed the line in raptures to secure his third win of the season, 0.6 seconds ahead of Adam, with Roldan a further 3.8 seconds back in third. Lucas took fourth position with Borja fifth and Andi sixth. Sebastien Buemi took the final point for fastest lap.
Timo has had another Magny-Cours here in Hungary with his sole points being those for pole position, leaving him on 55. Lucas meanwhile has again scored in both races and now sits on 54, just one point behind his championship rival. Luca Filippi is still third after another nightmare weekend with no reward and is now 20 points off Glock.
In the team's championship iSport International lead on 86, 20 ahead of ART Grand Prix, with Super Nova International third on 48.
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